Boss: Local artists treated unfairly by VI Festival & Fairs
President of the newly formed group and lead singer of Showtime Band, Eustace ‘Boss’ Freeman, raised several issues to the committee’s attention, issues such as local artists performing too early and many times in front of empty audiences, local artists being paid too cheaply and being forced to accept it and local artists at times feel as though they are being pitted against one another.
Mr. Freeman stated that under his leadership, to assist in better promoting the local artists in the Virgin Islands (VI), the group will be meeting with various radio stations in an effort to encourage them to ‘push’ the local and cultural music above other forms of music, especially during the festival season.
The President of the Alliance asked the members of the Festival & Fairs Committee to assist the group in better promoting the local artists. “The organisation will be trying to raise the levels of all artists under the organisation’s umbrella.”
Jason ‘Ritical’ Frett, Vice president of the organisation whose mission is representing and aiding in the development, evolution and promotion of local musicians, artist and entertainers, while fostering the development of artistically inclined individuals, stated that music is a product that the Virgin Islands can sell. “We are talented and can help to bring revenue into the Territory.”
In response to the issues made by President Freeman and his group, Chairman of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee Mr. Marvin Blyden told them to work with their members and ensure that they showcase their music all year round.
Blyden advised that the festival is a shared responsibility between the Festival and Fairs Committee and the artists, bands and cultural folks existing within the VI.
He encouraged the newly formed group and assured them that he would assist them to build a strong relationship.
Other members of the Great VI Music alliance are: Nicole Wheatley (PRO) and Akelah Harrigan (Secretary).
Cars up for grabs
The Festival and Fairs Committee announced that the winners of both the Ms. BVI pageant and Calypso Monarch will be awarded brand new cars.
The winner of the Ms. BVI Pageant will also be awarded with an educational scholarship.
Members of the committee assures the public that everything is going smoothly and all of the sub-committees have been actively meeting and progressing their respective areas weekly.
They disclosed that all of the proposed budgets and costs associated with running this year’s Emancipation Festival are now in and just about all outstanding bills from the 2011 festivities have been paid and cleared.
The Executive Committee will begin a series of fundraisers starting on June 2 and 16 featuring some of the hottest VI Bands.
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